How to Play Heart and Soul on Piano

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methods

1 As a Soloist

2 As a Duet

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Tips and Warnings

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Article Summary

Co-authored by Cuong Nguyen

Last Updated: August 4, 2024

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If you are looking for a quick and easy method to play Heart and Soul, this lesson will be perfect for you. You have the option of playing it as a soloist or with another person, as a duet!

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

As a Soloist

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1. 1
   If you're a beginner, familiarize yourself with the keys. One helpful way to do this is by placing a piece of tape on all the keys and labeling them.
2. 2
   Start by focusing on just your left hand. You will be using the keys F, G, A and C of the lower side of the piano. In order to do this, you could follow these arrangements for your left hand:

   • Place pinky on the F key.
   • Place ring finger on the G key.
   • Place middle/index finger on the A key.
   • Place your thumb on the C key.
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3. 3
   Play the keys in this order with your left hand: C, A, F, G.

   • Play each key once then pause for a second, then play the next, repeat this.
   • Continue practicing playing these keys smoothly until you are able to without much concentration.
4. 4
   Now it's time to focus on your right hand!

   • Start by pressing the middle C three times.
   • Wait after a second, hit the C again and continue playing by descending down. Play the keys left of C: B and A.
   • Now ascend again by playing B, C, D and hit the E three times.
   • Hit the E once more, then play the two descending keys of it: D and C.
   • Continue by playing the ascending keys D, E, F and G.
   • After playing the key G, pause for a second and play the C you initially started at.
   • Now you're going to wait another second before playing the A key right of the C.
   • Descend from A by playing G, F, E, D, C, B, A, G, F.
   • Finish by ascending from F, playing F# (the black key to the right of F), G, A, B, and stopping at C.
5. 5
   Practice until you understand the rhythm of the song and are capable of playing it without much hesitation or concentration. Once you've mastered both the keys of your left and right hands, you will be able to play the melody.
6. 6
   Remember to keep your left hand's tempo slower than the right one's. Your left hand should play each of the four notes only after a second passes: play C, pause for a second, play A, pause for a second, play F, pause for a second, play G, pause for a second, and repeat.

   • Your right hand's tempo is quicker than the left hand's and only slows down for a second after specific keys. Begin by playing both hands simultaneously.
7. 7
   Remember, this piece is very simple but takes much practice. Don't feel discouraged if it seems hard to get at first. You can do it!
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

As a Duet

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1. 1
   If you are a beginner and need to familiarize with the keys, place tape on the keys and label them.
2. 2
   Now you and your partner should pick your sides. Since this piece will be played as a duet, one person should focus on the lower side of the piano and one on the higher side.
3. 3
   Lets focus on the person on the lower side. Using your left hand, you will be playing the keys C, A, F, G in this rhythm:

   • Double hit C, pause for a second.
   • Double hit A, pause for a second.
   • Double hit F, pause for a second.
   • Double hit G and repeat until your left hand can play this smoothly.
4. 4
   Now once you're able to play the keys with your left hand smoothly, place your right hand on the set of keys adjacent and above your left hand. After each key is pressed twice with the left hand, your right hand should play the same key that the left hand presses with the one ascending it by two keys.
5. 5
   Your right hand should play this, consecutively:

   • After your left hand double hits the key C, your right hand should double hit the keys C and E.
   • After your left hand double hits A, the right hand double hits A and C.
   • After your left hand double hits F, the right hand double hits F and A.
   • Left hand double hits G, the right hand double hits G and B.
   • Keep practicing with both your hands until you play it smoothly and it sounds right!
6. 6
   Now lets focus on the person playing on the higher set of keys. You will only need to use your right hand.

   • Start by pressing the middle C three times.
   • Wait a second, then hit the C again and continue playing by descending down. Play the keys left of C: B and A.
   • Now ascend again by playing B, C, D and hit the E three times.
   • Hit the E once more, then play the two descending keys of it: D and C.
   • Continue by playing the ascending keys D, E, F and G.
   • After playing the key G, pause for a second and play the C you initially started at.
   • Now you're going to wait another second before playing the A key right of the C.
   • Descend from A by playing G, F, E, D, C, B, A, G, F.
   • Finish by ascending from F, playing F# (the black key directly to the right of F), G, A, B, and stopping at C. Then repeat!
7. 7
   You and your partner should begin by playing exactly at the same time. Good luck!
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  Can you write out the letters for me?

  

  Akitagem

  Community Answer

  (Melody) C,C,C, C,B,A,B,C,D, E,E,E, E,D,C,D,E,F, G, C, A,G,F,E,D,C, B,A, G,F, E,D, G (Repeat. There are variations but this one is common). Bass notes C,A,F,G.

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• Question

  Is there a video of this?

  

  Community Answer

  There are a variety of tutorial videos available on YouTube.

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  Thank you for your feedback.
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Video

Things You'll Need

• Piano/Keyboard
• Tape
• Markers

Tips

• Don't feel embarrassed to listen to the melody to remind yourself what it should sound like!
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• By figuring out where your middle C is, it'll help you when playing this piece. The middle C is the center of this melody! You can figure it out either by ear, or by googling the type of keyboard/piano you are using. Each one has a different middle C based on how many keys your piano has!
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• Keep enough space between you and your partner when playing the duet so you have enough arm space to be comfortable.
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Warnings

• Don't try to play the piece as a soloist until you've mastered both the left and right hands' keys and tempo. Otherwise, it'll be completely off. By practicing and following the rhythm of the melody, you can get it.
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• Your partner shouldn't play too slow or too fast or it'll ruin the whole melody. You should both be playing at the appropriate speed for your piece so that the melody flows perfectly.
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